Snow asks us to feel Dreamy this Friendly Friday. To me, mountains are irresistible, they hold my dreams of faraway countries and endless, secret paths beyond every peak.
And then…lying on my back in the grass, looking at the summer clouds. As a child I used to imagine and fantasize around their figures and shapes. A lovely way of dreaming.
The light is returning to the northern hemisphere, but we still have winter –
– which means the opportunities are less for us who love photography – or?
A great solution to the problem is close-ups or macro photography. Your own home is an endless source of motifs – and maybe a look into new worlds. So, this week’s challenge is Close-ups. Looking forward to your creative answers to this prompt!
You certainly don’t have to buy a macro lens – most cameras are good at close-ups. If you have a smartphone/android/iPhone – you will be surprised how easily you get good results.
But, last year I finally bought a macro lens – after a lecture by one of our best Swedish macro photographers. She recommended a TAMRON SP 90mm F/2.8. In this post, you are looking through that macro lens. (All photos except one – I guess you see which one…) As usual, click on the images to enlarge.
Let us see what I found when I ventured out into my flower pot, abandoned for the winter in my garden. Have a look down its frozen interior!
This is something of what I found:
And they are not only droplets – but frozen ones, lovingly held by the tiny plants.
Have fun with your close-ups and hope to see you soon –
Before you go, thank you to Patti for a marvelous Nature challenge!
I went to Umeå for a couple of days to visit my daughter – my son wanted to go as well.
Listen to Sara – the voice of Västerbotten!
Umeå is a student’s dream – and was the cultural capital of Europe in 2014.
Walking this passage we can both listen to and see the work of the author Sara Lidman – the voice of Västerbotten (this part of Sweden).
Umeå (ca 90 000 inhabitants) started in the 14th century, and is called the capital of Norrland and the City of Birches. I really should visit in spring to see the fragrant green.
Gammlia
Gammlia is an open air museum with many old buildings for people to visit and remember the olden days. Sami people have a special place here.
The sun has returned to Norrland as well – and sitting outdoors to catch the warmth is essential. Skiing and ice skating on the river is for every person, old and young. It is fun to watch three year olds racing like wild things – and are they skilled!
In the middle of the city they build ice playgrounds and a maze. And many roads have a built in heating coil to take away the snow.
After some 12 kilometers walking, we took a break at a lovely old book store.
And we had some delicious food as well…before walking back home – in the middle of the street like everyone else did. Too much snow and ice where we should have walked! But we did not slip or fall, despite the difficult weather.
Normally the temperature never rise above zero during winter, but now, due to climate change, it frequently jumps up and down. Last week -25 C and this weekend 5-6 plus and thaw. The Sami people and their reindeer suffer from these changes because when the temperature drops again, there will be a thick ice cover and the reindeer cannot reach the necessary food under the snow. The animals starve and the Sami people have to use state funds to survive.
For Friendly Friday this week – a drink of contrasts!
For Frank at Dutch Goes The Photo – Ripples on the Surface
Patti’s challenge this week is Nature. I have spent most of my spare time in nature – and that is where I belong. The Galapagos Islands have been a dream ever since I was a child.
And in 2016 we went for Ecuador, the Amazon and Galapagos.
As all 19 islands are of volcanic origin, every island is different and many of their inhabitants are endemic to just that island. Harsh nature, but life thrives.
Among cacti and volcanic ground, birds and plants can live their lives without human interference. As a child I thought this must be a true Paradise.
In fact it is. Here you come close to nature and the animals, because they are not afraid of humans – they have no reason to be.
You can watch them hunt…like this Yellow -crowned night heron,
and fight – be it the giant land iguanas (stay clear here!)…
or the graceful Swallow-tailed Gulls.
Red-footed Boobies
The birds also allow you to watch them building their nests. I was 10 centimeters from the Red-footed Boobies – and they just kept courting and building without minding me.
The Marine Iguanas displayed their grandest costumes while sunbathing…
…and even let you get close-ups while lying on the ground, contemplating life.
It is the co-existing human – nature that fascinates me. It could be so easy…but we humans make it so difficult…
Why not walk the endless beaches together? There is room for us, if we only let there be…
If we are respectful,
and stay 2 meters away (the limit here on the islands),
then the animals might even come up to you. We are all curious creatures if we have nothing to fear. One of Nature’s little wonders – my favorite..
…the simple beauty of a Mockingbird
So, if you tread lightly and show respect…
we can live together, love together, and let Mother Nature thrive.
I will always love these islands – where Nature rules, and man is only a grateful guest.
Thank you to Patti for this wonderful challenge – and for the chance to present my view of Paradise.
The sun is shining in, and the colours are returning to my home. In the header a Tradescantia, or Wandering Jew, and here a Hatiora Salicornioides (Both from Brazil). The English name is said to be bottle plant, drunkard’s dream!
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